Literary Terms A-F

Question 0

the repetition of sounds especially initial consonant sounds in two or more neighboring words

Answer 0

alliteration

Question 1

device of using character and or story elements symbolically to represent all abstraction in addition to the literal meaning

Answer 1

allegory

Question 2

a direct or indirect reference to something which is presumably commonly known, such as, an event, book, myth, place, or work of act

Answer 2

allusion

Question 3

the multiple meanings, either intentional or unintentional, of a word phrase, sentence, or passage

Answer 3

ambiguity

Question 4

a similarity or comparison between two different things or relationship between them. it aims at explaining that idea or thing by comparing it to something that is familiar. Metaphors and similes are tools used to draw an anology. Therefore, anology is more extensive than eaither a simile or a metaphor. ex: Structure of an atom is like a solar system . Nucleus is the sun and electrons are the planets revolving aroung their sun.

Answer 4

analogy

Question 5

the word, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun

Answer 5

antecedent

Question 6

a terse statement of known authorship which expresses a general truth or moral principal

Answer 6

aphorism

Question 7

a figure of speech that directly addresses an absent or imaginary person or a personified abstraction, such as liberty or love

Answer 7

apostrophe

Question 8

the emotional mood created by the entirety of a literary work, established partly by the setting

Answer 8

atmosphere

Question 9

a grammatical unit that contains both a subject and a verb

Answer 9

clause

Question 10

the use of slang or informalities in speech or writing

Answer 10

colloquial

Question 11

a fanciful expression, usually in the form of an extended metaphor or surprising analogy between seemingly dissimilar objects

Answer 11

conceit

Question 12

the non literal, associative meaning of a word; the implied, suggested meaning

Answer 12

connotation

Question 13

the strict, literal, dictionary definition of a word, devoid of any emotion, attitude, or color

Answer 13

denotation

Question 14

referring to style, diction refers to the writer’s word choices especially with regards to their correctness, clearness, or effectiveness

Answer 14

diction

Question 15

from the Greek for “good speech” a more agreeable or less offensive substitute for a generally unpleasant word or concept

Answer 15

euphemsim

Question 16

from the Greek, literally means “teaching”

Answer 16

didactic

Question 17

a metaphor developed at a great length, occurring frequently in or throughout a work

Answer 17

extended metaphor

Question 18

writing or speech that is not intended to carry literary meaning and is usually meant to be imaginative and vivid

Answer 18

figurative language

Question 19

a device used to produce figurative language

Answer 19

figure of speech

Question 20

is derived from a Greek word asyndeton which means uncorrected. It is a stylistic device used to intentionally eliminate conjunctions between the phrases and the sentences, yet maintain the grammatical accuracy. Asyndeton helps in speeding up the rhythm of words ex: “This is the villain annoying you, who deceived you, who cheated you, who meant to betray you completely

Answer 20

asyndeton

Question 21

is derived from a Greek word that means turning upon, which indicates the same word returns at the end of each sentence ex: Hourly joys be still upon

Answer 21

epistrophe

Question 22

In rhetoric, ethos represents credibility or an ethical appeal which involves persuasion by the character involved.

Answer 22

ethos

Question 23

Antithesis, literal meaning opposite, is a rhetorical device in which two opposite ideas are put together in a sentence to achieve a contrasting effect. Antithesis emphasizes the idea of contrast by parallel structures of the contrasted phrases or clauses, i.e. the structures of phrases and clauses are similar in order to draw the attention of the listeners or readers. For example: “Setting foot on the moon may be a small step for a man but a giant step for mankind.” The use of contrasting ideas, “a small step” and “a giant step”, in the sentence above emphasizes the significance of

Answer 23

antithesis

Question 24

literal meaning, opposite, is a rhetorical device in which two opposite ideas are put together in a sentence to achieve a contrasting effect. Antithesis emphasizes the idea of contrast by parallel structures of the contrasted phrases or clauses, i.e. the structures of phrases and clauses are similar in order to draw the attention of the listeners or readers. ex: setting foot on the moon may be a small step for a man but a giant step for mankind.

Answer 24

antithesis

Question 25

is a short and interesting stroy or an amusing event often proposed to support or demonstrate some point and make readers and listeners laugh. Anecdotes can include an extensive range of tales and stories. In fact, it is a short description or an account of any event that makes the readers laugh or brood over the topic presented for the purpose.

Answer 25

anecdote